On February 1, Korea University (KU)’s Asiatic Research Institute (ARI) announced the opening of its first Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies (CMEIS). Professor Kim Jong-do, appointed as the first director, proudly foreshadowed a bright future for the institution as a long-awaited add to the school’s research body. Aiming to become a leading pole in Eastern Asia, the center is expected to host numerous seminars, lectures and colloquiums, which will drastically expand the school’s educational offer concerning Islam. KU, in fact, currently provides just a single General Education course titled “Understanding Islamic Culture” (GEFC105), whose purpose is to facilitate the correlation of Islam’s rich history and culture to the dynamics of the modern world.

CMEIS was born due to the pressing realization that studies on this compelling region of the world cannot be further postponed. The director of the Asiatic Research Institute, Professor Lee Jin-han, recalled Korea University (KU) President Kim Joon-yeop’s (1982-1985) affinity for the issue and his interest towards the development of an Arabic department, as reiterated by The Korea Post. Director Kim anticipated that, although the center "is lacking in many aspects," it will be able to make its way through affirmed institutions and contribute to the investigation of several unanswered questions.